Boat construction



March 21, 1939. A. H. ALEXANDER l BOAT CONSTRUCTION Filed July 16, 1957 Patented Mar. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel boat construction, particularly applicable when metal shapes and plates are used, and the prime object of my invention is to provide a boat construc- 5 tion which reduces the cost of the hull of the boat and also increases the speed with which a hull can be completed.

Still another object is to provide a novel boat construction which produces a rigid hull and lo with a minimum number o-f frame and longitudinal members.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawing, the sub-joined detailed description and l5 the appended claims.

In the drawing Figure 1 is a side elevation of a boat hull embodying my construction and with parts broken away to show the frame.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of one oi the frame members, the bilge backing strip being shown in section.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the frame members and with the keel assembly 25 shown in transverse section.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral l includes a plurality of transversely extending frame members 2. These frame members are preferably formed of metal andl in 30 smaller boats, a plate strip can be used although it is obvious that other sections can be utilized if greater strength is required. The frame members are spaced longitudinally of the hull at suitable distances, all of which is usual and well 3;; known. The frame members 2 are bent as shown at 3 atapproximately the bilge line and this bend might be termed the bilge bend. The frame members are each bent at the keel as shown at 4 and the shape and angle of these bends are .10 altered as the design of the hull is altered.

At the bend 3, the frame members are each grooved out as shown at 5, to receive a longitudinal bilge backing strip 6. This bilge backing strip is bent to conform to the curve 3 and since .i5 this strip extends the full le-ngth of the hull from stern to prow, it forms the longitudinal frame member between the top and keel of the hull. The strip 6 is also formed of suitable metal and the frame members 2 are welded or other- ;U wise suitably iixedly attached to the strip. At the bend 4 oi each of the frame members, a groove or recess 'E is cut to receive a keel backing strip 8. The keel 9 is a T section and is either formed in one piece or is built up as desired.

,5 The top flange I 0 of the keel is Welded to the backing strip 8, thus forming an integral member of the keel and the backing strip.

It is to be noted that the grooves 5 and 'I are of sulicient depth to receive the backing strips 6 and 8. The keel backing strip 8 also is welded or otherwise fxedly attached to each of the frame members 2.

'Ihe covering of the hull is provided in the following manner: A bilge knuckle plate H, of lesser Width than the strip 6 is curved to conform to said strip. A side plate I2 extends from the top edge of the hull to the top edge of the bilge knuckle plate Il, the plate l2 being welded at its upper and lower edges, the welding extending substantially horizontal.

A bottom plate I3 extends from the lower edge of the bilge knuckle plate Il, to the flange lil of the keel and this plate is also welded at its upper and lower edges, thereby holding the plate securely in position.

While I have described the method of securing the side and bottom plates in position as a welded joint, it is to be understood that other usual and well known methods of attachment might be used. The side plates and bottom plates are substantially straight when considering a plan transverse of the hull and therefore these plates can be easily set in position and secured as previously described. The bilge knuckle plate Il is quite narrow and is therefore easily bent transversely in order to conform to the bend 3 in the frame. The various welds: i4 previously described, also serve to secure the various plates to either the bilge backing strip or the keel as the case may be.

Having described my invention, I claim:

l. A boat construction comprising a plurality of transversely extending frame members, each of said frame members having a keel bend formed therein, a keel, said keel including a keel backing strip, xedly formed thereon, each of the frame members being recessed to receive the keel backing strip and means securing each of the frame members to the keel backing strip, bottom plates attachable to the frame members., the lower edge of said bottom` plates butting against the edge of the keel, means securing the abutting edges of said plate and keel, the backing strip overlapping the abutting edges of the bottom plates of the keel.

2. A boat construction comprising a plurality of transversely extending frame members, each of said frame members; `having a keel bend formed therein, a keel comprising a T bar, a keel backing strip iixedly attached to the top flange 2 Y of the T-bar, each of the frame members being recessed to receive the keel backing strip, bottom plates attachable to the frame members, the lower edges of the bottom plates abutting the outer edges of the top flange of the T-bar and means flxedly securing the bottom plates to the edge of the top flange of the T-bar.

3. A boat construction comprising a plurality of transversely extending frame members, each of said frame members having a bilge bend formed therein, aY bilge backing strip extending longitudinally througho t the length of the boat, said strip being positioned in the bilge bend of the frame members, said frame members being recessed to receive the bilge backing strip, means securing each of the frame members to the bilge backing strip, a bilge knuckle plate bent to con.- form to the bilge backing strip and secured to the outer face of said bilge backing strip, said bilge knuckle plate extendingV the length of the bilge backing strip, a side plate extending upwardly from the bilge knuckle plate and butting against the upper edge of the bilge knuckle plate, said side plate being Welded tothe bilge knuckle plate, and bottom plates extending downwardly from the bilge knuckle plate, said bottom plates butting the lower edge ofthe bilge knuckle plate and being welded to said bilge knuckle plate.

ARTHUR H. ALEXANDER. 

